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Auburn 851 Speedster
Auburn 851 Speedster
Photo by Supermac1961 | Original source | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped From Original

Introduced in 1935 as a bold entry into the premium American automobile market, the Auburn 851 was a legendary luxury vehicle that brought breathtaking, progressive engineering and high speed glamour to the company’s final lineup. Styled with a sharp, aerodynamic silhouette, a deeply sculpted radiator grille, and a signature tapered boattail rear end, the vehicle established a new, fashion forward design language tailored for affluent drivers seeking pure performance. Under the bonnet, the Auburn was powered by a versatile range of reliable engines, including a standard 4.6 liter straight eight and a balanced supercharged variant, with top tier models adopting a potent Schwitzer Cummins centrifugal supercharger. Paired with a precise three speed manual transmission and an innovative Columbia dual ratio rear axle, it delivered lively acceleration, agile handling, and the optional stability of six effective forward gear ratios, providing a confident, high riding driving experience that felt right at home on local boulevards or open highways. Produced as a single highly celebrated generation built on a rugged x type ladder frame, the model received a comprehensive mid life update in 1936 to introduce the re designated 852 nameplate along with minor aesthetic updates and advanced interior craftsmanship. The Auburn achieved notable domestic prestige, particularly among Hollywood elites, where it was celebrated for its robust build quality, premium cabin instrumentation, and distinctive character. It remains a memorable milestone in the brand’s history, defining the prewar standard for elegant, upscale motoring before concluding its successful production run when the automaker ceased operations in 1937.

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Auburn

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